Rediff.com« Back to articlePrint this article

Ferrari axe veteran car designers in structural shake-up

December 17, 2014 10:10 IST

Ferrari have parted company with chief designer Nikolas Tombazis and engineering director Pat Fry, two of the men responsible for designing this year's car as the team endured their first season without a win since 1993.

Ferrari Formula One driver Fernando Alonso of Spain steps out his car following an engine failure during the Italian F1 Grand Prix in Monza"Nikolas Tombazis and Pat Fry will be leaving the Scuderia," the Formula One outfit said in a statement on Tuesday while handing structural control to technical director James Allison.

"James Allison ... will be responsible for all technical aspects of delivering drivers Kimi Raikkonen and Sebastian Vettel, as well as newly appointed test driver and third driver Esteban Gutierrez, with the most competitive Formula One car possible."

It has been a period of upheaval at Ferrari after Marco Mattiacci's brief reign as principal ended at the end of November. The troubled Fiat-owned outfit replaced him with Maurizio Arrivabene, the team's third boss in nine months.

The glamour team ended the season in Abu Dhabi without a single race win and the conclusion of the campaign also saw the departure of double world champion Fernando Alonso.

Germany's four-times champion Vettel has been signed from Red Bull as the Spaniard's replacement.

Long-serving president Luca Di Montezemolo, a link with the team's late founder Enzo, also left Ferrari last month.

He has been replaced by Fiat Chrysler chief executive Sergio Marchionne.

Image: Ferrari Formula One driver Fernando Alonso of Spain steps out his car following an engine failure during the Italian F1 Grand Prix in Monza.

Photograph: Max Rossi/Reuters

Source: REUTERS
© Copyright 2024 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.